Advice & Insight From UCAT Specialists
Abstract Reasoning assesses your ability to identify patterns amongst abstract shapes where irrelevant and distracting material may lead to incorrect conclusions. Hence, it is essential to use a systematic approach (eg. BlackStone Tutors 3 Step Approach to Abstract Reasoning & NASSSS) to distinguish relevant from distracting content.
Type 1 (Most Common)
You will be presented with two sets of shapes labelled “Set A” and “Set B”. You will be given a test shape and asked to decide whether the test shape belongs to Set A, Set B, or Neither.
Type 2
You will be presented with a series of shapes. You will be asked to select the next shape in the series.
Type 3
You will be presented with a statement, involving a group of shapes. You will be asked to determine which shape completes the statement.
Type 4
You will be presented with two sets of shapes labelled “Set A” and “Set B”. You will be asked to select which of the four response options belongs to Set A or Set B.
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13 Minutes
11 Sets with 5 Shapes/Questions for Each (ie. 55 Questions)
Time for each question = 12 Seconds
Questions increasingly combine two or more rules. At the same time, don’t be put off by ‘multiple rules’ – this often gives you additional opportunities to obtain a correct answer, as by detecting even one simple rule, you can often obtain the answer.
In order for a rule to be correct, it has to be applicable to both sets eg. If all boxes in set A have 3 shapes, for this to be used as a rule/part of a rule, all the boxes in set B must have a set number (eg. 2/4/5) of shapes. If they have varied number of shapes in set B, the number of shapes cannot be a rule.
Can the same rules be used more than once? Yes, just because number of shapes came up in the previous question, it does not mean it cannot come up in the following question. (Sequence of questions is normally through random computer generation)
Learn the best UCAT strategies and practice with reflective UCAT questions & worked solutions.
When considering possible diagnoses, medical practitioners may be presented with a set of symptoms and/or results. Some information may be more reliable, more relevant and clearer than other information. Doctors and Dentists need to make judgements about such information, identifying the information which will help them reach conclusions. Carrying out research involving data often involves identifying patterns in results in order to generate further hypotheses.
